Just recently ordered this and LOVE! Green Tea EGCG truly is one of the most fantastic skincare actives out there. Very difficult to find good quality product (90%) and even harder to actually solubilize it! Love that it comes in pre-dissolved solution. I enjoy adding it at 1% (so 11% sol) to my serum formulations containing Niacinamide 5% + NAG 3%. Excellent for oily acne prone skin.
*Only gripe... because the Pre-Dissolved Solution is SO heavy in propanediol (10 parts Propanediol for 1 part E.. ...»

This ingredient has done more for my skin than anything else I've ever used.
I put it into a spray facial toner and use it morning and night. I noticed the effects immediately, they were that dramatic.
I will use this forever, no question... ...»

This product is amazing! I'm new to diy moisturizing cream and I've done quite a bit of research. However, I found info. at BulkActives that I have not seen anywhere else, especially with the hyaluronic acid. This product is of high quality, my friend is a chemist and he ran some tests, very high quality. It has done wonders for my skin, not only in the way it looks more healthy but it just feels so smooth and hydrated. I'm still experimenting with some recipes so I will return. Your service is .. ...»

I've been using Bulkactives green tea EGCG for four years. No complaints, it blends nicely my DIY anti-aging cream. I can feel a bit of toning and definitely notice the anti-inflammatory effects on my skin. Two observations that keep the rating 4 stars instead of 5: (1) A package of green tea contains significantly less weight/volume than the package of grape seed extract that I order from bulkactives. The two are combined in equal amounts in the anti-aging cream, so I find myself running o.. ...»

I have been buying from bulkactives for some time and have never been disappointed. My most recent purchases have been the hyaluronic acid and the dispenser bottle. the bottle is great. The inner container rises with use, ensuring that you use most of the product. Much better than having residue sit at bottom of bottle to be wasted.
I've used only one batch of hyaloronic acid formula, so too early to report. I mix it with ascorbic L and ferulic acid, according to recipe on this site. So f.. ...»

Just recently ordered this and LOVE! Green Tea EGCG truly is one of the most fantastic skincare actives out there. Very difficult to find good quality product (90%) and even harder to actually solubilize it! Love that it comes in pre-dissolved solution. I enjoy adding it at 1% (so 11% sol) to my serum formulations containing Niacinamide 5% + NAG 3%. Excellent for oily acne prone skin.
*Only gripe... because the Pre-Dissolved Solution is SO heavy in propanediol (10 parts Propanediol for 1 part E.. ...»

All customers PLEASE read:

Canadian Customers:

Any long delivery delays are caused by The Canada Border Services Agency.
I now ONLY offer EMS as a shipping option to Canada.
This appears to have resolved most of the delays caused by The Canada Border Services Agency.

Please write your correct address:

We take NO responsibility for delivery issues caused by customers entering the wrong address in the checkout page

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What we sell

We sell COSMETIC RAW MATERIALS, which are meant to be used at an appropriate percentage in a cosmetic formulation of your devising. Please do not order our products unless you know how to formulate creams and lotions with it!

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Sclerotium Gum

Sclerotium gum is an active ingredient obtained through fermentation from hardened fungal masses of various types of fungi. The most common source is a parasitic fungus named Sclerotium rolfsii. Due to its efficiency as a thickening agent, emulsifier and stabilizer, sclerotium gum is used in numerous applications in the industrial, food and pharmaceutical fields. Recent research showed that sclerotium gum is a compound perfectly suitable for topical delivery of pharmaceuticals and natural active ingredients. Besides providing the right viscosity and stability of the topical preparation, the gum also has multiple benefits for the skin. Sclerotium gum is high in polysaccharides, especially beta glucans, namely scleroglucan, and has multiple benefits for the skin: it protects the lipid barrier, prevents water loss, increases moisturization, protects and repair damaged skin, enhances the local immune response and increases collagen production and deposits.

About Sclerotium Gum in DIY Skin Care

Sclerotium is a generic name for a stage in the lifecycle of some parasitic fungi meant to ensure survival in adverse conditions. The sclerotia are hard, compact fungal masses with low water content and high content of active ingredients. Various types of sclerotia have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine all over the world for their properties [1] One of their useful properties is the high content of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) which are high molecular mass particles [2]. The EPS’s, which are manly polysaccharides, are vital in determining, balancing and stabilizing the composition of the extracellular environment. The exopolysaccharides are key players in maintaining a biofilm, which is a natural, specific environment for microorganisms characterized by various physio-chemical properties. [3].

Sclerotium gum is obtained through a complex fermentation process. Due to its properties it is currently used in the food and pharmaceutical industry in applications such as targeted drugs delivery and visco-surgery [4]. One of the most popular sources for sclerotium gum is a parasitic fungus called Athelia rolfsii. Sclerotium rolfsii contains a neutral polysaccharide called scleroglucan which has jellifying and rheological properties by means of polymerization [5]. Sclerotium gum is an excellent thickening agent used in high-end cosmetics, but also compatible with DYI cosmetics, especially due to its stability, ease of use and efficiency.

Compared to other thickening, jellifying and rheological substances, sclerotium gum is superior in several parameters. Due to the polymerization of polysaccharides, such as scleroglucan, the gum is able to form highly stable gels. Unlike other agents, sclerotium gum is very stable with temperature and pH [6]. Amongst 140 polymers tested in an industrial application the sclerotium gum solution ranked highest, maintaining its viscosity at 90% after 500 days at 90 degrees [7].

Sclerotium gum is ideal for topical delivery of active ingredients. Studies have shown that the active is an effective emulsifier and suspension stabilizer [8]. Its advantage is that it provides potent stabilization and emulsification, with great results in ensuring even distribution and concentration of the active ingredients and is 100% natural. Furthermore, the main active ingredient scleroglucan is a beta glucan. Beta glucans are active ingredients that provide numerous benefits for the skin such as: better penetration of the epidermis, enhanced moisturization and improved overall appearance [9]. Several studies showed that beta glucans have strong immune-modulating, antioxidant and radio-protective effects which make them ideal for cosmetic products that aim to protect and repair the skin against UVR damage [10].

Scleroglucan also stimulates immunity by enhancing macrophage production and activity. Laboratory studies showed that scleroglucan is the most effective antitumor agent among the exopolysaccharides. In vivo studies have shown that scleroglucan is the most potent immune-stimulant, anti-tumor, anti-neoplastic and anti-microbial effects amongst the beta-D-glucans [6]. In topical treatments all these effects are useful in fighting keratocytes mutation and malignancy proliferation. Furthermore, due to macrophage activation and anti-bacterial properties scleroglucan also supports wound healing. Several studies have shown that beta-glucans, including scleroglucan, supports keratinocytes regeneration, stimulates collagen production and deposits and enhances the immune response on wound site [11].

Scleroglucan also supports and stimulates the barrier function by generating lipid formation. Studies have shown that it increases ceramides and cholesterol levels in the skin and implicitly it supports the lipid barrier. In-vivo research showed that scleroglucan leads to better moisturization [12]. Clinical studies focussing on polysaccharides including scleroglucan showed that they balance the trans-epidermal water loss reduction (TEWL) preventing skin dehydration, excessive dryness and supporting the barrier function [13].

Sclerotium Gum in Skin Care

Sclerotium Gum is an outstanding natural thickening agent that offers multifunctional gelling, and stabilizing activity. Sclerotium Gum will also deliver skin softening properties. Derived from the fermentation of the genus Sclerotium, a filamentous Mushroom. The result is a all natural, ultra pure, polysaccharide polymer. The addition of Sclerotium Gum to your formulations allows for the development of stable gels and creams that deliver excellent sensory characteristics. Sclerotium Gum will also improve the film forming properties acting as a natural skin moisturizer and skin soother.

Sclerotium Gum is one of the most stable, of the natural polymers, even in the presence of high heat, products formulated with Sclerotium Gum will maintain their viscosity. Sclerotium Gum thickens your products, keeping them stable against high heat, electrolytes, or any other conditions that usually challenge natural gelling agents, improving the feel of the product, the skin, and the hair, while improving natural moisture levels.

When used in formulation at low levels, of 0.5, to 2.0%, Sclerotium Gumwill increase viscosity while maintaining good fluidity, flexibility, and pouring, properties.

Sclerotium Gum is also an, extremely, effective suspension agent where it will hold particles in suspension, and eliminate sedimentation issues, making it the perfect choice for use in formulations with pigments and sunscreens.

The multi functionality, stability, and compatibility, of Sclerotium Gum makes it an excellent choice for all personal care products. The non-ionic nature allows it to be used over a wide pH range, of 5.0 to 12.0, and it is compatible with most other thickeners, and most commonly used surfactants. This is the polymer of choice, in formulations with cationic emulsifiers and conditioners, especially BTMS.

Sclerotium Gum is an excellent addition to natural sunscreens. The film forming benefits are particularly suited to these systems where the film forming benefits are helpful in meeting the new requirements of water resistance. Sclerotium Gum will also help to protect the basic emulsion properties when using the natural pigments (zinc and titanium).

Sprinkle the Sclerotium Gum granules of directly into the water at a temperature of 20°C or more. Note that the warmer the water the more quickly the gum with gel. At 20°C is could take up to 15-45 minutes with mixing.

Shake until the granules completely dissolve (as long as necessary depending on the kind of apparatus used). Tests reveal the emulsifier rotor/stator (hand mixer or stick blender ) is by far the most efficient and therefore the most recommended.

Suggested percentage: 0.25 – 2.0%

0.8 to 1.5% for standard gels

0.2 to 0.8% to stabilize emulsions

1.5 to 2.0% to suspend in cleansing systems

0.3 to 0.6% for spray-able solutions / suspensions

0.5 to 1.5% to stabilize / thicken cleansing systems

At the stage where Sclerotium Gum is completely dissolved the other ingredients in the formula should be added (oily phase, actives, etc.). It will then take 24 hours to obtain a stable viscosity.
Notice that heating the water speeds up the gelling of clerotium Gum

Viscosity of an Sclerotium Gum gel according to temperature of water

The use of 0.25 to 2.0% Naturajel provides viscosity of 60 to 12,000cps. We can thus create more or less a supple, more or less fluid textures, depending on the final product you wish to obtain. From 0.8%,the aqueous preparations obtained form a solid gel.

Stability of Sclerotium Gum gel

In Extreme Physical and Chemical Conditions formulating with gelling agents always creates stabilizing issues for the product when in contact with certain raw materials (electrolytes, alcohol, etc.) or in extreme pH conditions. Most of the other gelling agents present a good stability towards some of these parameters, however, Sclerotium Gum gel has the quality of being stable in all situations. This has been proven by viscosity measurements carried out on gels made in typical conditions with 1.0% Sclerotium Gum later adding the various elements to be studied (salt, ethanol, etc.).

Presence of Ethanol

The gel remains very stable until it reaches a concentration of 15% ethanol. The gelling ability decreases for greater quantities. Formulating alcoholic products is thus possible, however Naturajel ™ must first be sprinkled into water, and the alcohol should be added once the Amigel® network is formed.

Presence of Propylene Glycol

In the presence of 1 to 25% propylene glycol, the gel presents high stability.

Presence of Salts

Tests have been carried out for a concentration in NaCl of 1 to 12%. Strong stability can benoticed on the whole range of concentrations. This characteristic makes manufacturing finished products containing seawater possible.

pH

Viscosity measurements were taken for pHs varying between 2 and 11. Noted was a high stability rate, even for extreme pH. These results are exceptional for a gelling agent.

Presence of Oils

Essential oils are extremely concentrated products which should be integrated into the formulas in small quantities. Otherwise, they can destabilize the finished products. Sclerotium Gum gel was tested with different concentrations containing 0.05% to 4.0% Lavender essential oil, without a solubilizer. Up to 3.0% of Lavender essential oil can be stably incorporated into Sclerotium Gum gel. This is a very high dosage for a finished cosmetic product.

DISCLAIMER

All our products are powders, liquids, flakes or gels, used for making your own skin care products.

All our products are cosmetic / technical grade only.

We do NOT sell pharmaceuticals, prescription drugs or nutritional supplements.

Any statements about our products have not been evaluated by the FDA.

Our active skin care ingredients are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease

SHIPPING

Canadian Customers:

Any long delivery delays are caused by The Canada Border Services Agency.
I now ONLY offer EMS as a shipping option to Canada.
This appears to have resolved most of the delays caused by The Canada Border Services Agency.

Please write your correct address:

We take NO responsibility for delivery issues caused by customers entering the wrong address in the checkout page